Doc recounts kidnap tale

March 16: Dr M.C. Agarwal today narrated his nightmarish 42 hours that he spent as a hostage after being abducted at gunpoint from his Athgaon chamber on Tuesday evening.

Talking to reporters from his residence in Rehabari, the 60-year-old doctor began from the beginning of the abduction, which has led to eight arrests so far, including two today.

Agarwal, who usually shuts his chamber at 7.30pm, stayed on longer last Tuesday, since he was expecting a relative to come for check-up.

It was around 7.58pm when a few boys came looking for me. Thinking that they had come for charity, I went to see them when they grabbed me. As I tried to resist, they showed me a pistol and finally shoved me into my own car, he said.

The gang moved to Jalukbari via Kumarpara and crossed Bharalumukh police station.

It was from Baihata Chariali onwards that the gang tied a piece of cloth over my face and never removed it, said the doctor.

After unending hours of fear and trauma, when a policeman finally removed the cloth from his face last evening, the doctor told reporters he felt as though god was standing in front of him.

A joint team of police and CRPF rescued him yesterday from the house of one Jiban Pandit at Namati village in Nalbari, about 80km from the capital city.

Pandit and Uttam Kar, the man who drove the gang away, were arrested by Nalbari police from Katlabarkuchi today.

Six others, including a highway robber and a murder accused, were arrested yesterday in connection with the abduction.

According to senior superintendent of police (city) Apurba Jiban Baruah, there was no information regarding any ransom demand.

According to family members, the gang did not ask for any ransom. However, investigation is on to find out if an employee or family member is involved in the crime, he said.

The SSP (city) said, During interrogation, it was revealed that two pistols were used by the gang. However, we are yet to ascertain if the weapons were genuine.

It is also being probed if one of the arrested, Bhabesh Nath (mistakenly named by the SSP as Bhabani Kalita yesterday), has any connection with the ceasefire group of Ulfa.